African Union

Lord Boateng: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they propose to take to enhance the capacity of the African Union as a development partner.

Baroness Northover: Between 2011 and 2013, DFID has provided £1.6 million to build the capacity of the African Union Commission (AUC). This has contributed to achieving: increased ratification by African countries of the AU Charter on Democracy; improved standards of AU election observation missions; better financial planning and management of AUC resources; and enhanced training for AUC staff. In addition, between 2013 and 2014, funding of just under £1.5 million from the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool will support AUC in achieving its objectives on peace and security across the continent.
	The AUC have now launched a strategic plan for 2014-17 which sets out their ongoing capacity building needs. DFID is currently considering what level and type of support to provide in support of this business plan, after the existing programme concludes in December 2013.

Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to ensure that evidence regarding the extent of herbicide-tolerant weeds and resistant pests has been taken into account in its policy on genetically modified crops.

Lord De Mauley: The Government's policy on genetically modified (GM) crops will take account of all relevant evidence. It should be noted, however, that the potential for weed or pest resistance to develop is not specific to GM production. It is also an issue for the effective management of conventional crops.

Benefits

Lord Beecham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the forecast saving from the extension to seven days of the period before people who lose their jobs can obtain benefits; and how many people are expected to be affected annually (1) in the United Kingdom, and (2) in the North East of England.

Lord Freud: The information requested is not available. The expected number of benefit units affected and savings are only available for Great Britain.
	As published in the OBR policy costing notes, costings for the new seven day waiting period before people receive benefits have been estimated on the basis that from April 2015 new awards of Universal Credit for claimants that have not had a Universal Credit claim in the past six months and at least one person in the household is subject to conditionality are reduced by the average amount of Universal Credit claimed per claimant per week.
	In 2015-16 this is expected to save £245 million and affect 1.6 million new claims to Universal Credit in Great Britain.

Benefits: Motability Scheme

Lord Hardie: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 13 June (WA 255–6), how many people in each of the local authority districts in Scotland were, by reason of the level of award of Disability Living Allowance they receive, eligible to participate in the Motability Scheme in (1) November 2010, and (2) November 2011; and whether they will provide the data in an identical format to the data provided for November 2012.
	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 13 June (WA 255–6), how many people in each of the local authority areas in England were, by reason of the level of award of Disability Living Allowance they receive, eligible to participate in the Motability Scheme in (1) November 2010, and (2) November 2011; and whether they will provide the data in an identical format to the data provided for November 2012.
	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 13 June (WA 255–6), whether they will specify the number of people in each of the local authority districts in Scotland on whose behalf payments were made to Motability in respect of vehicles leased by claimants entitled to higher rate Disability Living Allowance in (1) November 2010, (2) November 2011, and (3) November 2012.
	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Freud on 13 June (WA 255–6), whether they will specify the number of people in each of the local authority areas in England and Wales on whose behalf payments were made to Motability in respect of vehicles leased by claimants entitled to higher rate Disability Living Allowance in (1) November 2010, (2) November 2011, and (3) November 2012.

Lord Freud: People entitled to the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance may transfer part or the whole of their award to Motability in order to lease or buy a vehicle. The latest data showing the numbers of people being paid the higher rate mobility component, by each local authority in England and Scotland, can be found at:
	http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/100pc/tabtool.html (guidance on how to use the tab tool is at the bottom of this page.)
	The Department does not hold information on the numbers of Motability customers in each local authority district or area of Great Britain. This information may be held by the Motability scheme and you can write to them at the following address.
	The Director,
	Motability,
	Warwick House,
	Roydon Road,
	Harlow,
	Essex
	CM19 5PX

Blasphemy

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations, both bilaterally and in international fora, about reviewing blasphemy laws to bring them into line with agreed human rights standards.

Baroness Warsi: The Government is deeply concerned by the misuse of blasphemy laws which can result in limitations on freedom of expression and often disproportionately affect minority groups. We strongly believe that the death penalty or physical punishment can never be an appropriate or proportionate penalty for blasphemy. Where blasphemy laws do exist we call on states to bring them into line with agreed human rights standards. As an example, I raised my concerns about the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan with the government ministers I met during my visit there last November. We also work in international fora with EU colleagues and at the UN to lobby against laws that criminalise blasphemy.

Caribbean

Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote trade and cultural links with the Overseas Territories and Members of the Commonwealth in the Caribbean.

Baroness Warsi: The British Government is keen to promote trade and cultural links between the UK and both the Overseas Territories and the Commonwealth
	Caribbean. We believe there are considerable opportunities for British business particularly in the energy (both hydrocarbons and renewable), fisheries, agriculture, education and tourism sectors. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is working closely with the Department for Trade and Investment (UKTI) to ensure that UK companies are aware of the opportunities available.
	We plan to hold a business event in London in November to bring together UK companies and representatives from the Overseas Territories.
	In the Commonwealth Caribbean, the Department for International Development-funded Compete Caribbean Initiative supports growth and development of the private sector. The FCO and UKTI are working together on a regional approach to increase trade links.
	We are proud of the strong cultural and people to people links between the UK and the region. The 2012 Olympics and Paralympics highlighted the close ties between the Caribbean and the UK in tourism, trade, sport and arts.

Caribbean

Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contracts have been awarded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Caribbean Council; for what services; and for what cost.

Baroness Warsi: Since 2010, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has awarded four Accountable Grant Agreements to the Caribbean Council in support of the Government’s growth and jobs objectives. These were:
	• November 2011; a grant of £9,051 to part-sponsor a Caribbean Council led trade and investment mission to the Dominican Republic and Haiti.• March 2012; a grant of £10,000 to carry out a scoping study into commercial opportunities for UK companies in Guatemala and El Salvador.• March 2013; a grant of £3,500 to part sponsor a Caribbean Council led trade and investment mission to Guatemala and Nicaragua.• June 2013; a grant of £9,990 to carry out a scoping study into commercial opportunities for UK companies in Guyana and Suriname.
	In addition to this, the FCO provides an annual subvention of £25,000 to the Caribbean Council to support its work in promoting and developing trade and investment links between the UK and the Caribbean region.

Cattle: Vaccines

Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any data suggesting that clostridial vaccination in cattle should be encouraged; and whether they have any plans to recommend such vaccines before spring 2014.

Lord De Mauley: Clostridial disease of cattle and sheep are endemic in the UK and can be controlled through use of vaccines which are readily available. The Government has no role in providing advice in these cases. Farmers should consider their Farm Health Plan and consult with their veterinary surgeon as to whether vaccination is an appropriate preventative treatment to use, and when best to use it in their management practices, and for which livestock.

Central African Republic

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the United Kingdom is represented in the Central African Republic; what assessment they have made of reports of killings and displacements of property since the overthrow of President Bozize in March; and whether there are plans to send international observers to help prevent further violence.

Baroness Warsi: The United Kingdom’s diplomatic relations in the Central African Republic (CAR) are undertaken by our (non-resident) Ambassador to CAR who is based at our High Commission in Yaoundé where he serves concurrently as the British High Commissioner to Cameroon.
	We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in CAR, particularly in light of reports of human rights violations, violence, and looting; and the difficulties humanitarian agencies face in gaining access to those in need. We urge CAR’s National Transitional Council to work towards restoring security on the ground, and to ensure that civilians are protected.
	The African Union (AU) is currently assessing how best to bring stability and safety to CAR’s population. The AU sent a mission to CAR in May as part of this work. The UK welcomes the ongoing efforts of the AU and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to address the crisis in CAR, and we are working with our partners in the UN and EU to determine how these efforts can best be supported.

Children: Eating Disorders

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children under the age of 18 were admitted to hospital as a result of eating disorders in 2012.
	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the relationship between eating disorders among young people and access to websites promoting eating disorders.

Earl Howe: Monthly data on admissions of children aged 0-17 for whom the primary diagnosis is
	an eating disorder for the years 2011-12 and 2012-13 are in the following table. Figures for 2012-13 are provisional. It should be noted that the figures relate to admissions and not necessarily to numbers of children as some children may have been admitted more than once.
	
		
			 Month Year 
			  2011-12 2012-13 prov 
			 April 74 89 
			 May 99 104 
			 June 90 108 
			 July 72 108 
			 August 77 75 
			 September 112 94 
			 October 101 91 
			 November 94 119 
			 December 90 88 
			 January 115 100 
			 February 106 70 
			 March 111  
		
	
	Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Health and Social Care Information Centre
	The Government is convinced by anecdotal evidence of the dangers of websites that promote eating disorders. In January 2013 the Minister of State for Care Services met with internet security companies, charities and other Government departments to explore how to protect children and young people from harmful internet content related to suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.
	He encouraged the security companies, such as McAfee and Symantec, to work collaboratively with interest groups (including BEAT) and internet service providers to sign up to a concordat that would help to speed up the process for reporting harmful content and the blocking of harmful websites by parental controls. They gave him positive assurances that they would explore such a concordat. The Government would be willing to facilitate and support such an initiative however we can.
	The UK Council for Child Internet Safety is already making parental controls more accessible so that parents can control children’s access to harmful content, such as pro-anorexia content.
	In February 2012 the Government announced a further £22 million over three years to the Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) programme.
	Some of this money will be used to extend the training offered by CYP IAPT to two further therapies: Systemic Family Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy. These therapies support families and address some of the major mental health problems of adolescence including eating disorders.

Children: Orphans

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support systems are in place for children with deceased parents; and whether there has been any assessment of the effectiveness of those systems.

Lord Nash: Local authorities have a general duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need.
	Children who are orphaned with no one able to take on the role of parental responsibility on their behalf, will normally be considered children in need and have their needs assessed by the local authority. The nature of the support provided to each child depends on the outcome of the assessment.
	One of the first duties the local authority will undertake is to explore whether there are any people already known to the child who can offer care while further assessments and enquiries are made about the appropriate long term plan for the child. If there are people willing to care for the child in the short or long term, the local authority has a power to provide financial or other support as necessary. Where there is no-one able to care in the short term, the child may become looked after while further enquiries about the child’s wider family are made. Where the child does become a looked after child, the local authority has a number of statutory responsibilities towards the child and their carer which must be fulfilled.
	There has been no assessment undertaken of the effectiveness of these systems for this specific group of vulnerable children.

Croatia

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a prerequisite for Croatia's accession to the European Union was that it should encourage and enable the return of refugees and exiles from Krajina and other Serb-populated regions in Croatia and the restoration of their houses and property; and how many such exiles they estimate still live outside Croatia who are entitled to Croatian citizenship.

Baroness Warsi: Action to settle outstanding refugee returns to Croatia was a requirement for the closure of Chapter 23 (Judiciary and fundamental rights) of Croatia’s accession negotiations. Furthermore, when accession negotiations were concluded in June 2011, Croatia committed to continue to address outstanding refugee return issues, including the restoration of houses and property. The European Commission’s most recent pre-accession monitoring report, dated 26 March 2013, assessed that Croatia continued to make progress, including by engaging with other countries in the region, for example through the Regional Housing Programme and the Sarajevo Declaration Process, both of which aim to facilitate the return of those refugees who wish to do so between Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. In March, Croatia had approximately 1,980 applications for Housing Care unsettled.
	The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which oversees the returns process in the region, estimated as of January 2013, that there are 62,613 “persons originating
	from Croatia” recognised as refugees. The Serbian Commission for Refugees and Migrations estimates that there are 41,800 Croatian refugees in Serbia. It is not clear whether all of these refugees wish to return home under the return programmes.

Drones

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of Turkish drones operating above the camps of the Kurdistan Workers' Party.

Baroness Warsi: The British Government has not made an assessment of the reports of Turkish drones operating above the camps of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party.

Embryology

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 18 June (WA 33), why the minutes of the meeting of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s Research Licence Committee on 18 November 2009 are not available on the Authority’s website as indicated, and how that compares to documents from previous and subsequent years.

Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that the minutes of the meeting of the Authority's Research Licence Committee on 18 November 2009, to which the noble Lord refers, were not available between 14 and 25 June 2013 because of a technical issue with the HFEA's website.
	The HFEA has also advised that it seeks to ensure that minutes of Research Licence Committee meetings, and other Authority licensing decisions, are available on the HFEA website within eight working days of the meeting taking place.

Embryology

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 8 March 2011 (WA 389-90), whether it remains the case that no changes to the research programme at centre 0017 have taken place subsequent to the Person Responsible and the Nominal Licencee having stated that no such changes were envisaged when writing to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in September 2009; and, if not, what were the changes concerned.

Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that in April 2010 the Person Responsible, for research licence R0152, applied to further vary the research licence to create embryos using donated sperm. The Authority's Research Licence Committee considered this application at its meeting on 19 May 2010. The decision of the Committee was recorded in the minutes which are available on the Authority's website at:
	http://guide.hfea.gov.uk/guide/ShowPDF.aspx? ID=4180.

Embryology

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 19 June (WA 48), what reasons the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has provided for not consulting the general public on the matter of somatic cell nuclear transfer being used to correct mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and rescuing the metabolic function of pluripotent cells from existing patients with inherited mtDNA diseases; and why the HFEA’s Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee is not recorded as having discussed the matter at its meeting on 12 June when reviewing the paper by Tachibana et al. in accordance with the concluding sentence of that paper’s discussion section.

Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that on the question of consulting the general public on the matter of somatic cell nuclear transfer being used to correct mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and rescuing the metabolic function of pluripotent cells from existing patients with inherited mtDNA diseases, it has nothing further to add to the information I gave the noble Lord in my Written Answer of 3 June 2013 Official Report, col. WA114.
	The HFEA has also advised that the minutes of the 12 June 2013 meeting of the Authority's Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee are not yet finalised but will be available on the HFEA website in due course.

Embryology

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 19 June (WA 48), whether the Person Responsible and the Nominal Licencee for research licence R0152 had indicated that induced pluripotent stem cells were unlikely to provide a cure for diseases associated with mitochondrial DNA mutations; and if so, why the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority had not previously evaluated the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer as an alternative prior to renewing that licence or as part of its consultation on mitochondrial replacement.

Earl Howe: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that in September 2009 the Person Responsible, for research licence R0152, indicated that induced pluripotent stem cells were unlikely to provide a cure for diseases associated with mitochondrial DNA mutations.
	The HFEA has also advised that research licence R0152 was renewed in 2011. This decision was taken by its Research Licence Committee on 18 May 2011. The minutes of that meeting, setting out the Committee's reasoning, are available on the Authority's website at:
	http://guide.hfea.gov.uk/guide/ShowPDF.aspx? ID=412&merge=l

European Commission: Review of Legislative Proposals

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the reply by Baroness Northover on 17 June (HL Deb, col 8), on how many occasions the European Commission has reviewed its legislative proposals as a result of a “yellow card” to which a United Kingdom House of Parliament contributed by passing a reasoned opinion; which proposals were reviewed; and what has been the progress of those proposals since those reviews took place.

Baroness Warsi: On the one occasion when the number of reasoned opinions, including one from the House of Commons, reached the threshold to trigger a “yellow card” the Commission withdrew the proposal. This was in relation to “Monti II” in 2012, which attempted to clarify the balance between EU social rights and economic freedoms. This demonstrates a coordinated approach between national parliaments can exert real influence; something the Government is keen to support.
	Reasoned opinions have also been issued by national parliaments, including in the UK, on several other proposals, however the yellow card threshold was not reached.

Freedom of Information Act 2000

Lord Wills: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of any additional costs that might arise as a result of local auditors being subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Baroness Hanham: We have not made an estimate of the cost of bringing local auditors under the Freedom of Information Act. Local auditors are not currently subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, and following consultation in 2011 the Government did not see a compelling case to change this in the future local audit framework.
	Local authorities are subject to the Freedom of Information Act, so any spending or activity of the local authority, and any communication between the auditors and the local authority, would already potentially be in scope under the Act.
	All respondents to this question within the consultation, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales, thought that doing so would increase audit fees. Furthermore, considerable information will be available to people, either from relevant authorities which are covered by the Freedom of Information Act, or through provisions in the Bill; for example the local electors' rights to inspect detailed accounting records, and to raise questions and objections to the local auditor. Some respondents to the consultation - including audit firms and the Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales - also expressed concern that bringing local auditors under the Freedom of Information Act could deter new audit firms entering the local audit market.

Gambia

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Commonwealth Secretary-General's proposed media mission to The Gambia on 24 and 25 June.

Baroness Warsi: We would welcome co-operation between the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Government of The Gambia on the role and independence of the media. We remain concerned at the lack of freedom for the media to operate in The Gambia. As set out in the Commonwealth Charter, we remain committed to peaceful, open, dialogue and the free flow of information, including through free and responsible media.

Gambia

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they agreed to the European Union resuming their political dialogue under the Cotonou Agreement with The Gambia in July, but excluding matters under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Baroness Warsi: We support efforts by the EU and The Gambian government to resume their political dialogue under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement, following The Gambia’s withdrawal from these talks in January 2013. Our High Commissioner in Banjul and our officials in Brussels have been in discussion with The Gambian government, the European External Action Service and EU Member States to encourage the return to political talks.
	On 3 July, EU Member States will be discussing in Brussels The Gambian government's proposal for the resumption of these talks on 11 July. Human rights are an essential element of the Cotonou Agreement. The human rights situation in The Gambia continues to deteriorate and we are in agreement with our European partners that the EU must continue to promote a strong commitment to human rights principles.

Health: Obesity

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will assess what savings can be made in the public finances through increased diagnosis and treatment of obesity.
	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they are taking to diagnose and treat obesity (1) in children, and (2) in adults.

Earl Howe: An analysis of the economic burden of a range of risk factors for chronic disease has estimated that overweight and obesity cost the National Health Service £5.1 billion per year. There are no plans for an additional assessment of savings to public finances though increased diagnosis and treatment of obesity.
	The Government's Call to action on obesity in England, sets out our approach to tackling obesity in the new public health and NHS systems. It also sets out our national ambitions for achieving a downward trend in the level of excess weight in children and adults by 2020.
	As part of our approach to obesity we are continuing to invest in the National Child Measurement Programme and NHS Health Checks, both of which help to identify individuals who are overweight or obese and enable them to be provided with appropriate advice and referral to further support.
	We have given local authorities ring-fenced funding to support them in improving the health of their local populations, which may include the commissioning of weight management services. Public Health England will support local areas in commissioning these services.
	NHS England is responsible for commissioning severe and complex obesity services and has set out its policy on this in, Clinical Commissioning Policy on Complex and Specialist Obesity Services.
	Local health and care professionals are encouraged to implement guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on, Prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults andchildren and, where appropriate, implement their local obesity care pathway to ensure that patients receive the support they need to manage their weight.
	A call to action on obesity in England and Clinical Commissioning Policy on Complex and Specialist Obesity Services have already been placed in the Library.

Health: Resistance and Infection

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Newby on 10 April (WA 331), whether the Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections was on the 2010 list of public bodies announced for abolition or function transfer; and whether its functions have been transferred.

Earl Howe: The Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (ARHAI) was not identified for abolition in 2010. The status of ARHAI changed from an Advisory Non Departmental Public Body to a Department of Health Expert Committee and this took effect on 30 December 2012. ARHAI's functions have not been transferred to any other body.

Health: Strokes

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will assess what savings can be made in the public finances through measures to prevent atrial fibrillation-related stroke.
	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they are taking to prevent atrial fibrillation-related stroke.

Earl Howe: As set out in the Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Strategy, published in March 2013, stroke remains a priority for this Government and NHS England will work to support primary care to provide good management of people with or at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including atrial fibrillation-related stroke.
	Responsibility for determining the overall national approach to improving clinical outcomes from healthcare services lies with NHS England.
	NHS England is considering its overall approach to delivering reduced premature mortality, in line with the NHS Outcomes Framework. As one of the major causes of premature mortality, reducing cardiovascular-related mortality is expected to form a significant element of NHS England's overall approach, including working to support primary care to provide good management of people with or at risk of CVD, including atrial fibrillation-related stroke.
	In line with this overall aim, NHS Improving Quality's (NHS IQ's) strategic priorities for 2013-14 include public awareness, early diagnosis and a major drive to increase general practitioner engagement in stroke.
	Prior to the formation of NHS Improving Quality, NHS Improvement implemented the national roll out of Guidance on Risk Assessment and Stroke Prevention for Atrial Fibrillation (GRASP-AF), as part of a wider programme aimed at improving the management of atrial fibrillation in stroke prevention. GRASP-AF is a simple audit tool for use in primary care to help with stroke risk assessment and the management of atrial fibrillation.
	NHS IQ will continue to promote these tools.
	Potential savings through measures to prevent atrial fibrillation-related stroke have not been assessed.

Health: Vaccination and Immunisation

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they expect the minutes of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation meeting of 12 June to be published before the House rises for the summer recess.

Earl Howe: The draft minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on 12 June 2013 will be published on, or shortly before, 24 July 2013. The draft minutes will therefore be published before the House of Lords rises on 30 July 2013. However, it is unlikely that the draft minutes will be published before the House of Commons rises on 18 July 2013.

House of Lords: Statues

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: To ask the Chairman of Committees , in the light of the upcoming anniversary of the Magna Carta, whether he will arrange for the statues of signatories of the Magna Carta in the House of Lords chamber to be cleaned of dust.

Lord Sewel: There are 18 statues of Magna Carta Barons in the House of Lords Chamber. Four of the statues overlook the Public Gallery and can be accessed relatively easily. Those four statues have been inspected and dusted twice since 2008 and are due to be inspected and dusted again over the next year.
	With regard to the other 14 statues, there are complex access issues which make their dusting and cleaning much more difficult. They are sited on the upper parts of the walls of the Chamber and it is not possible to reach them by ladders placed in the side galleries. The only way to clean those statues would be to erect very tall scaffolds on the stepped floor at either side of the Chamber. Such scaffolding would be expensive to construct and could only be erected when the Chamber was not being used for sittings of the House or for visitor tours. There are therefore no plans to dust those statues in the near future. However, in due course the cleaning and restoration of those 14 statues could be considered as part of longer-term plans for the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster.

Human Rights

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to pursue the findings of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Turluyeva v Russia.

Baroness Warsi: Council of Europe Committee of Ministers meetings on human rights discuss the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. At these meetings, the UK, along with other states, have urged Russia to demonstrate concrete progress on cases relating to disappearances in Chechnya. The judgment in the Turluyeva v Russia case was handed down on 20 June 2013 and is not yet final. Therefore the Committee of Ministers is not hitherto engaged on this particular case. We will continue to engage with Russia on human rights issues at ministerial level through our embassy in Moscow and through our representation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

Identity Documents: Religion

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations, both bilaterally and in international fora, about ending requirements to show religious affiliation on identity documents.

Baroness Warsi: We raise our concerns, both bilaterally and with EU partners, wherever the requirement to show religious affiliation in identity documents leads to discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. For example the European Commission’s 2012 Annual Progress Report on Turkey noted concerns about religion on identity cards leading to discriminatory practices but welcomed the continued dialogue between the Government of Turkey and minority religions which had led to some progress. We have been active in supporting the work of the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief and his predecessor, both of whom have raised the need for registration procedures to be non-discriminatory and for individuals to be able to change the religious affiliation shown in their identity documents if they choose to do so. We will continue to urge governments to eliminate all legal provisions and policies that discriminate against individuals on the grounds of their religion or belief.

Immigration Rules

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following decisions of the First Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) in the cases IA/11284/2012 and I/19205/2012, they plan to amend Rule 289A of the Immigration Rules so as to include all persons who are in informal relationships with abusive partners.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Rule 289A enables an applicant who is in the UK as the married or
	unmarried partner of a person settled in the UK or a British citizen and who is the victim of domestic violence to apply for indefinite leave to remain before the expiry of the normal probationary period. The applicant will have originally come to the UK with the intention of living permanently here as a consequence of a relationship with someone settled here. We do not intend to extend Rule 289A to migrants who entered the UK on a different basis.

Israel

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are existing agreements in place that prohibit them from imposing sanctions on Israel.

Baroness Warsi: The UK does not believe that imposing sanctions on Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories would be a constructive step. We are working with both sides in support of US Secretary of State Mr John Kerry’s efforts on a renewed US-led initiative on the Middle East peace process, in particular looking at the incentives, or disincentives, that might encourage the two sides to take positive steps towards peace. Whilst these efforts are ongoing we are firmly focused on what incentives we, along with our EU partners, can offer.

Israel

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with European partners about accountability within the Israeli military and its effect on the peace process in that country.

Baroness Warsi: The EU Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah issued a joint statement on 18 December 2012 noting the importance we attach to Palestinian civil society and stressing that Israeli incursions into cities where the Palestinian Authority has assumed the powers and responsibilities for internal security and public order, puts in jeopardy the internationally recognized success of Palestinian institution building efforts. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv has raised these concerns with the Israeli Ministry of Defence and Israeli Defence Force.

Israel

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the comments by Israel’s Deputy Defence Minister Danny Danon that the governing coalition in that country is opposed to a two-state solution.

Baroness Warsi: During his recent visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt) raised differences within the Israeli government on this issue with his Israeli interlocutors, seeking clarity on the Government
	of Israel's position. He was told that ultimately Prime Minister Netanyahu had made it publicly clear that it was government policy to work for a two state solution. An official from the Prime Minister’s Office told the press that Minister Danon's remarks “do not represent the position of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Government of Israel.”
	The British Government remains committed to working actively with the United States, the Israelis and Palestinians, and our other international partners, to achieve progress before the window for a two state solution closes.

Israel

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel concerning the alleged use of gas bombs by the Israeli military in Kufr Qaddoum on 6 June.

Baroness Warsi: We have not raised this issue. However, the UK has repeatedly made clear to Israel our longstanding concerns about the manner in which the Israel Defense Forces police non-violent protests and the border areas, including use of live ammunition. These concerns were reiterated by the National Security Adviser in his talks with senior Israeli interlocutors during his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on 26-28 February. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt) also raised these issues with Israel's Attorney General when he visited London in late June.

Lending: Start-up Loans

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have reviewed any possible conflicts of interest faced by delivery partners, including student bodies, involved in promoting and approving loans through the Start-up Loans Company; and when the work of the delivery partners will be independently audited.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Start-Up Loans Company is an independent private company in receipt of Government grant and, as such, is free to pursue its activities, including recruitment and management of partners, as it sees fit, subject to the conditions set out in its grant offer letter. Recruitment of partners is required to be overseen by a delivery partner panel, a sub-group of the Company's Board.
	The Company is responsible for the management of its partners and oversight of any perceived or actual conflicts that might arise, and for the audit of those partners as it sees fit. The Company is held to account against the terms of its grant offer letter and is, itself, subject to audit in a format set out in the grant offer.
	That audit requires the Company's auditors to consider the activities of a selection of partners and to comment on the process by which they have been reported. We expect the audit to take place shortly and for the report to be provided in early autumn.

Limited Liability Partnerships

Lord Rooker: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many limited liability partnerships registered at Companies House have not submitted returns to HM Revenue and Customs within the required time limit at the latest convenient date.

Lord Deighton: 8,300 Limited Liability Partnerships filed their 2010-11 Income Tax Self Assessment tax returns after the due date.
	2010-11 is currently the latest tax year for which HM Revenue & Customs has a verifiable data set of partnership information.

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the number of same sex marriages that will be entered into as a result of the passing of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill; and what estimate they have made of their impact on United Kingdom tax income.

Baroness Stowell of Beeston: The tax reliefs/exemptions which will be available to same sex married couples will be the same as those currently available to married couples and civil partners. The impact assessment for the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill estimates that there will be a 50% increase in the total number of same sex unions in the year that same sex marriage is introduced, and that thereafter the total demand for same sex unions will be the same as the current demand for civil partnerships.

Met Office

Lord Donoughue: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there has been an independent audit of the accuracy of the Met Office's recent forecasts of (1) wetter winters, (2) dryer summers, and (3) higher global temperatures.

Lord De Mauley: The methodology for the projections in the summary statements from the UK Climate Projections 2009 (UKCP09) and from the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4) was peer reviewed prior to launch and has since been followed by further publications in leading journals.
	Projections are fundamentally different from forecasts. The Met Office has not issued a forecast for wetter winters or drier summers. Long term projections, such as those included in UKCP09 and IPCC AR4, by their definition cannot be audited for accuracy until the period the projections cover has passed. For UKCP09, time periods are in 30 year slices and the earliest such projections are for 2010-2039.
	It is possible to compare the existing projections against results from new climate model studies as these emerge, to check whether or not the projections remain consistent with the latest understanding and capabilities available worldwide. The next opportunity to perform such a check will be provided by the forthcoming publication of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report and the Met Office Climate Programme contains effort to do this.
	The Met Office provides an annual forecast on the expected difference, from the long term average, of the world's global average temperature for the year ahead. This is publicly available on the Met Office website. For example, the global average temperature for 2012 fell well within the range forecast by the Met Office on 4 January 2012, which had a most likely value of 0.48 °C above the long term average. The independent body of the World Meteorological Organisation stated that global average temperature in 2012 was 0.45°C above the long term average.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Randerson on 20 June (WA 73–4), for what reasons they did not temporarily extend the life of the Northern Ireland Assembly in advance of its election in 2011 to avoid a clash with the 2015 United Kingdom parliamentary election as was done in Scotland and Wales; and whether they sought legal advice about the conformity of so extending the term of an already-elected legislature with Article 1 of Protocol 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Baroness Randerson: As indicated by Lord Wallace of Tankerness during the debates on the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011. Official Report, 1 March 2011, Column 934. Northern Ireland Office Ministers concluded that it would be better to await the outcome of the combined polls scheduled for May 2011 before deciding whether to make provision for Northern Ireland.
	Commentary on the interaction between the provisions of Clause 7 and Article 3 of Protocol 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights is set out in paragraphs 142 and 143 of the Explanatory Notes. As stated there, and in paragraph 123 of the Explanatory Notes, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has concluded that the provisions of the Bill are compatible with the Convention rights.

Overseas Aid

Lord Boateng: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to increase overseas development aid to promote investments in extension services in Africa to improve agriculture and nutrition.

Baroness Northover: At Nutrition for Growth on 8 June. DFID announced that it will increase its spend on direct nutrition programmes to up to 075m (a tripling of the 2010 levels). DFID plans to contribute £63.5 million in the next two financial years to the World Bank led Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme. Decisions will be made at a local level as to how much of the support should be devoted to agricultural extension. DFID also invests in research to understand the impact and cost-effectiveness of different approaches to extension. This includes work on village based advisory services in Kenya, and mobile phone based advisory services through Centre for Agricultural Bioscience international, an international agricultural research centre, and the association of mobile operators (GSMA) With GSMA DI ID is developing and testing mobile based nutrition and agro-advisory services in 14 countries in South Asia and Africa.

Overseas Territories

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they intend to promote to ensure that overseas territories are in full compliance with agreed positions on transparency.

Baroness Warsi: The Overseas Territories are separate jurisdictions with their own Constitutions under which most are responsible for fiscal matters.
	But, the Territories have an important role to play in helping the UK achieve its G8 Presidency objectives of advancing the global agenda on tax, trade and transparency. They have set out three important steps as part of their contribution to this agenda:
	- To play an active part in the new pilot initiative of multilateral automatic tax information exchange launched by the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain;- To prepare national action plans on beneficial ownership; and- To commit to joining the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance on Tax Matters.
	These commitments represent the biggest ever step change in the level of tax transparency of the Overseas Territories and will make it harder for people to escape paying taxes by hiding their money overseas.
	The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Whitney (Mr Cameron), commended the leadership shown by the Overseas Territories on the G8 tax and transparency agenda in his speech at the G8 Open for Growth event.
	The Government will continue to work in partnership with the Overseas Territories to help them take the necessary steps to deliver on their commitments.

Pakistan

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Pakistan about the violent unrest in Baluchistan, in particular the issue of missing persons and attacks on doctors; and whether the Commonwealth is able to assist the search for solutions.

Baroness Warsi: We regularly raise the issue of violent unrest in Baluchistan, including the need to maintain human rights and the rule of law in fighting terrorism, with senior government figures.
	During Pakistan’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN last October, the UK called for Pakistan to ensure effective implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture. We have discussed security in Pakistan with the Commonwealth in the context of the recent elections.

Personal Independence Payment

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Lord Freud on 24 June (HL Deb, cols 597–8), how they will respond to the consultation on the 50 or 20 metre Personal Independence Payment qualifying criteria; what procedure they intend to follow in undertaking the consultation; what weight they intend to attach to responses from the consultation; and whether they intend to publish the reasons for their eventual decision.
	To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by Lord Freud on 24 June (HL Deb, cols 597–8), what will happen to those claimants who have already been assessed under the old rules if the consultation determines that the rules on the 50 or 20 metre qualifying criteria for the Personal Independence Payment should be changed.

Lord Freud: Our consultation on the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment Moving around activity was launched on 24 June 2013 and will run until 5 August 2013. We are keen to receive written responses from any interested parties and intend to meet with a range of disabled people and disability organisations to discuss their views first-hand.
	We are carrying out the consultation with an open mind. Whilst our current preferred option is to not make any amendment to the current criteria, we are keen to receive as many responses as possible and are committed to considering these. We will not make a decision on whether any changes are necessary until we have fully considered the responses to the consultation.
	In reaching our decision we will consider how any potential changes might affect individuals and the numbers of people likely to receive the benefit. We will also consider the potential impact of any changes on PIP and overall welfare expenditure, and whether this is affordable and sustainable. We will publish a report summarising the responses received, and how we reached our conclusions, once we have completed the consultation.
	If we decide that changes to the assessment are needed, we will consider the implications for existing PIP claimants.

Planning: Land Value

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Deighton on 17 June (WA 21), whether, in the light of the high cost of large infrastructure schemes to public funds, they will initiate new research into the means by which any rise in land values as a consequence of major developments can be captured for community benefits.

Lord Deighton: Land value increases that are a consequence of major developments are captured for community benefits through the planning system, when it is fair and viable to do so.
	As land values increase there is typically a corresponding increase in development. The government places a levy on developers to invest in community infrastructure when planning applications for development are approved; either through the Community Infra- structure Levy or by agreeing planning obligations between local councils and developers under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
	The Government continues to consider options to capture land value uplifts both to finance developments and to benefit communities.

Police: Racial Discrimination

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many police officers in England and Wales have been subjected to disciplinary action about incidents of alleged racial discrimination in the past five years; and how many were (1) demoted, and (2) dismissed from the service, as an outcome of such proceedings.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Home Office collect figures on the number of police officers who have been dismissed, by police force area, in each of the last five years, 2007-08 to 2011-12, as shown in the following table. This data cannot, however, be broken down to identify the nature of the offence that led to the dismissal.
	The Home Office does not collect data on the number of police officers who have been subjected to disciplinary action or demoted.
	
		
			 Number of police officers who have been dismissed, by police force area, 2007-08 to 2011-12(1, 2, 3) 
			  2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 
			 Avon and Somerset 1 3 2 4 4 
			 Bedfordshire 1 3 5 1 1 
			 Cambridgeshire 4 0 1 4 2 
			 Cheshire 3 2 3 1 1 
			 Cleveland 2 3 5 5 3 
			 Cumbria 1 1 1 0 1 
			 Derbyshire 4 4 10 10 7 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2 2 4 0 1 
			 Dorset 2 2 3 4 3 
			 Durham 1 2 3 3 2 
			 Dyfed-Powys 3 3 1 0 3 
			 Essex 1 4 2 0 5 
			 Gloucestershire 0 1 0 2 1 
			 Greater Manchester 8 7 4 6 6 
			 Gwent 6 2 0 1 3 
			 Hampshire 5 4 6 2 3 
			 Hertfordshire 4 5 2 2 2 
			 Humberside 2 2 2 2 3 
			 Kent 4 2 9 4 5 
			 Lancashire 8 6 4 8 3 
			 Leicestershire 7 2 0 1 4 
			 Lincolnshire 0 0 2 2 1 
			 London, City of 2 0 2 1 3 
			 Merseyside 13 10 4 6 19 
			 Metropolitan Police 23 19 24 39 51 
			 Norfolk 1 5 2 3 2 
			 Northamptonshire 2 4 2 1 1 
			 Northumbria 9 4 4 8 5 
			 North Wales 0 0 0 4 1 
			 North Yorkshire 2 2 1 1 0 
			 Nottinghamshire 2 1 2 3 4 
			 South Wales 2 2 2 8 1 
			 South Yorkshire 0 1 5 1 1 
			 Staffordshire 8 1 4 3 6 
			 Suffolk 2 2 1 0 0 
			 Surrey 5 4 4 6 4 
			 Sussex 1 2 3 0 2 
			 Thames Valley 4 8 11 7 2 
			 Warwickshire 1 1 3 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 West Mercia 0 1 2 0 4 
			 West Midlands 16 8 6 9 6 
			 West Yorkshire 8 6 6 7 4 
			 Wiltshire 0 0 0 3 0 
			 England and Wales 170 141 157 172 178 
		
	
	(1)This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding there may be an apparent discrepancy between the totals and the sums of the constituent items.
	(2)Figures are provisional and have not been verified by police forces.
	(3)Dismissals include members of staff required to resign, staff who have been made compulsorily redundant or staff whose contract has been terminated.

Police: Undercover Policing

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any of the current investigative reviews of undercover policing will examine incidents associated with deaths in custody in suspicious circumstances since 1993, and other cases, where families from black and minority ethnic communities have complained about police undercover activities.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Operation Herne, headed by Chief Constable Mick Creedon, is investigating allegations of historic wrongdoing in relation to undercover policing in the Metropolitan Police Service. It is a matter for Mr Creedon and his team to determine which cases and officers are subject to their investigation.

Somalia and Somaliland

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has convened any meetings to discuss mechanisms for the transfer of funds to Somalia and Somaliland; and, if so, who attended and what were the conclusions.

Baroness Warsi: The Government recognises the role that remittances play in supporting the economy and people of Somalia. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office convened a meeting on 24 June to consider the issue of remittances to Somalia, including Somaliland. The meeting was attended by officials from the Home Office, Her Majesty’s Treasury, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Serious Organised
	Crime Agency and the Department for International Development. The meeting agreed that officials would seek additional detailed information and assess further.

Stephen Lawrence Inquiry

Lord Ouseley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the comments of the parents of Stephen Lawrence, following the allegations concerning the use of undercover officers to smear the reputations of the Lawrence family, and others, whether they will consider holding an independent inquiry into the allegations led by a judge.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary have made clear in recent days that, while they have confidence in the work already underway, under the leadership of Chief Constable Mick Creedon and Mark Ellison QC, they will consider alternative forms of inquiry if that proves to be necessary.

Tajikistan

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any assessment of the industrial pollution at the Tajik Aluminium Company facility; whether they intend to consider making an aid contribution in order to mitigate any humanitarian impact of the pollution in that region; and whether they intend to raise the issue with other European Union member states.

Baroness Warsi: The British Government views this as primarily a bilateral issue and is actively encouraging the Governments of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to engage in an open and constructive dialogue.
	We have no plans at present to make an aid contribution and have not carried out an independent environmental impact assessment, but we support the idea of a trans-boundary study carried out under the auspices of the UN and welcome ongoing discussions between the parties in this regard.
	We continue to stay in close touch with EU partners on a range of regional issues.

Trade Envoys

Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many United Kingdom trade envoys there are; who they are; and to which country each is appointed.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: There are nine Prime Minister’s Trade Envoys who promote trade for UK businesses in a range of high-growth and developing markets. My noble Friend the Lord Marland of Odstock is Chairman of the Prime Minister's Trade Envoys, the other Trade Envoys are:
	
		
			 Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy Country 
			 Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury, Mexico, 
			 Baroness Morris of Bolton, Jordan, Kuwait, and the Palestinian Territories, 
			 Lord Puttnam of Queensgate, Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia, 
			 Lord Risby of Haverhill, Algeria, 
			 Baroness Scotland of Asthal, South Africa, 
			 Lord Sharman of Redlynch, Morocco, 
			 Charles Hendry MP, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan 
			 Richard Graham MP, Indonesia.

Turkey

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effects of the ceasefire declared in April by the Kurdistan Workers' Party in Turkey.

Baroness Warsi: We commend the Turkish government’s approach to finding a peaceful solution and applaud recent steps taken by all parties to move the process forward. A peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue would significantly enhance the stability and prosperity of Turkey and the wider region. We have shared lessons learned from the UK’s experience in Northern Ireland with senior Turkish Ministers, politicians and officials, and are ready to lend further assistance if asked. The withdrawal of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants from south-east Turkey is an important contribution to a political settlement of the Kurdish issue.

UK Border Agency: Staff

Lord Marlesford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are now keeping a record of the nationality of staff employed by the UK Border Agency and staff on border agency duties.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Although the Home Office (formerly known as UK Border Agency) checks the nationality of their employees before they join, the data is not retained and there are no central records kept.
	We are not legally required to collect information in relation to naturalisation or nationality. The public sector equality duty covers the protected characteristics as detailed in section 149 of the Equality Act and, while this includes race, it does not extend to specifics about nationality.

Visas

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will consult the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees about the number of scholarships available for Palestinian refugees; and whether they have plans to modify student visas so that available student places in the United Kingdom and the European Union are fully used.

Baroness Northover: We regularly engage with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) on a range of issues including education. We do not have any current plans to raise the specific issue of the number of scholarships available to Palestine refugees.
	UN High Commissioner for Refugees is predated by UNRWA and Palestinian refugees do not fall under its mandate.
	Palestinians wishing to study in the UK can enter using a Tier 4 (General) Student visa or a student visitor visa. This is a matter for the Secretary of State for the Home Department, however, there are no current plans to amend the application process.

Wilson Doctrine

Lord Strasburger: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Wilson Doctrine on the interception of MPs' telephone calls still applies; whether it covers internet-based communications; and whether it applies to members of the House of Lords.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Though it has been the longstanding practice for successive Governments not to comment on surveillance or interception operations. I can confirm that the Wilson Doctrine still applies, and applies to both Houses I refer the noble Lord to the then Prime Minister Tony Blair's written answer to Norman Baker MP on the terms of the Wilson Doctrine on 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 367W. and his subsequent confirmation that it continues to apply on 30 March 2006, Official Report. columns 95 and 96WS. His earlier written reply to a question by Norman Baker on 4 December 1997, Official Report, column 321W, made it clear that the Wilson Doctrine applied to telephone interception and to the use of electronic surveillance by any of the three security and intelligence agencies. This is still the position.